Chaos beckons as factions box

HARARE - Fears of bloody conflict within President Robert Mugabe’s warring Zanu PF heightened yesterday after it emerged that the party faction linked to embattled Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa is serious about demonstrating at the former liberation movement’s headquarters in Harare today.

At the same time, well-placed sources told the Daily News that party youths who are members of the group that is opposed to Mnangagwa succeeding Mugabe, and who go by the moniker Generation 40 (G40), plan to escalate their demonstrations against the Midlands godfather from today onwards.

“The situation is very volatile and unless the powers-that-be move to deal with the situation decisively, blood will flow as the factions take each other on. For me, the best scenario would be to disallow all party demonstrations of whatever nature for the foreseeable future,” a Zanu PF central committee member said.

The senior party official added that although today’s planned demonstration by Team Lacoste, as the Mnangagwa camp is known, was ostensibly to allow the faction to meet the party’s leadership over the ructions tearing Zanu PF apart, there was also a suggestion that this was to show Mugabe and his wife Grace that the camp had “the capacity to fight its way to power”.

The idea for Team Lacoste to storm the Zanu PF headquarters today was first mooted when the ousted executive of the war veterans’ association led by War Veterans minister Christopher Mutsvangwa — which is pro-Mnangagwa — met in Harare on Monday.

However, the newly-installed interim leadership of the veterans of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle have dissociated themselves from the demo, saying that this was merely a “factional project” meant to put Mugabe under pressure to accommodate “factional interests”.

And in a possible harbinger of things to come, youths aligned to the G40 demonstrated in Harare yesterday, openly baying for the blood of Team Lacoste key members.

But former Zanu PF Mashonaland Central secretary for security, Batsirai Musona — a war veteran and fiercely loyal supporter of Mnangagwa — told the Daily News that Team Lacoste’s so-called Operation Shumba was “now in full throttle to stop the G40”.

“This G40 clique is making sure that in all their purging of officials, they hide behind their alleged love for Mugabe when in actual fact they do not have any iota of love for the president,” he said.

Bluntly describing Grace as a supposed “political upstart”, Musona said the G40 faction had allegedly led the First Lady “down the garden path, a route she will ultimately regret”.

“They are using, or should I say abusing the First Lady to deal with the strong man VP Mnangagwa, his allies and the securocrats using borrowed power.

“The truth of the matter is that the three gangsters — the biggest political thug Saviour Kasukuwere, Patrick ‘the factionalist’ Zhuwao and ‘the rocket tweeting scientist’ Professor Jonathan Moyo — have no love for the First Lady and neither do they include her in their future leadership matrix.

“All they are doing is to just use her like a pawn in a chess game to fight their enemies on their behalf and then dump her at a later stage. In this plan they are slowly gaining ground, whilst the First Lady is creating a lot of enemies through her uncontrolled rantings on the podium.

“This move, if it is left to continue ... this number one woman in the country will diminish her chances for future political positions,” Musona warned, adding that “like-minded Zanu PF officials should therefore come together and stop the G40”.

In the meantime, interim chairperson of the war veterans Mandi Chimene accused Mutsvangwa yesterday of mobilising war veterans and war collaborators “for personal and factional interests” under the pretext that they were to be addressed by Mugabe today.

“They are mobilising war veterans, children of war veterans and war collaborators to come to Harare, telling them lies that the president wants to address them.

“But I want to warn everyone that there is nothing like that. It’s all a lie. They just want to fulfil their personal and factional interests, which is not good,” she said.

Mutsvangwa was booted out as ZNLWVA chairperson last Friday following a vote of no confidence against him, as well as his deputy Headman Moyo and secretary-general Victor Matemadanda.

Among the litany of charges that were levelled against Mutsvangwa and his colleagues include the allegations of disrespecting Mugabe and Grace, and releasing press statements containing abusive language directed at senior party and government officials.

Yesterday, the Daily News also reported that as Zanu PF’s factional and succession wars escalate, Team Lacoste was increasingly mounting an open rebellion against Mugabe and Grace, amid indications that the group wanted the increasingly frail nonagenarian out of office before the 2018 national elections.

So in-your-face and aggressive had some of the utterances and tactics being employed by the faction become, that there were growing fears within Zanu PF that the ruling party’s worsening ructions could soon boil over into bloody conflict.

Well-placed sources told the newspaper then that what was particularly perturbing was the fact that Mnangagwa’s followers were increasingly challenging not just Grace, but Mugabe himself as well, in their public utterances — a situation they said did not augur well for the future of the party and the country.

“We have now entered a new ugly and uncharted territory in the life of the party and the country, where it’s difficult to predict what will happen next.

“What many of us are worried about the most is that those who are said to be fighting for Mnangagwa are more and more daring and challenging both Mugabe and his wife Grace openly, which is unheard of,” a politburo member who claims to be “non-aligned” said.

Another party insider told the Daily News last week that he was “very worried” about the extent to which the two main factions battling for supremacy within the former liberation movement now appeared “to hate each other”.

“I think anyone who says that they are not concerned by the wars will be lying. The truth of the matter is that at the rate at which things are deteriorating, it may be a matter of time before we see body bags in places like Harare and the Midlands,” the senior Zanu PF official said.

Contacted yesterday in the wake of the political developments of the past few days within the warring party, the official said the situation had “worsened” — pointing to the alleged launch by Mnangagwa’s allies of an “ominous and shady” programme dubbed Operation Shumba.

“Indeed, what is this Operation Shumba? Is it merely a play on Mnangagwa’s totem or it’s a more sinister project that is underway?

“And what makes what is happening now less grave than what (former VP) Joice Mujuru and (ex-war veterans leader) Jabulani Sibanda were expelled for from the party? I fear for the peace and stability of this country,” he said.

A source close to Team Lacoste said yesterday that there was a feeling in the camp that Grace’s blistering attack on Mnangagwa and his faction last Friday had “the blessings of the president himself” — adding further that it was “disappointing” that Mugabe had “failed” to stop his wife from opposing the Midlands godfather.

He said it was even contemplated that the faction, using a section of war veterans from the ousted veterans executive, would see the camp embarking on mass demonstrations in Harare soon.

State media, and in particular the faction’s main propaganda mouthpiece, The Herald, have also over the past few days ratcheted up their assault on Grace, VP Phelekezela Mphoko, Kasukuwere, Moyo and other perceived G40 bigwigs.

Nobody but Bob and Grace are to blame for the trouble that is erupting. They think they can just manipulate the constitution in whatever way? Stops right here and now....and they will suffer the consequences of their stupidity. One day Africa will realize just how stupid this Bob is?

Mbewa - 18 February 2016

Its safe to say 99p.c zimbos are tired of this mafirakureva nhema.the wisperings she hears in the dead nite frm her husband continue to bluff her.we all know men say the nicest stupid things just the action.clever women dnt believe everything.we continue to hear these murder stories ,mahoka,grace, n nw this other cow frm mutare hs registered her claims also,smeone wants to kill her,she alleges.why are these mafiranhemas n cows seeing ghosts?or culd it be just a bunch of fudged up league cows ,nothing to do bt sit n plot nonsense ,drunk frm cheap wine .one of them is known for mixing black coffee n whisky.can anyone expect a government frm these fat cows?.no.only mad pple.

viola gwena - 18 February 2016

Action war vets this is the time to push Mugabe and his mistress back to Zvimba reclaim what you fought for Ngwena panyanga.

Colonel - 18 February 2016

There is no news today.

attiza - 18 February 2016

When a movement like ours ,za u,is showing sign of failing to catch up,let alone keep up,wth other liberation movements ,we seek advice from them,anc,frelimo,chama,swapo.we chose anc ,bt seeing hw fregmented our relations are bcoz of us zanu being viewed as ecentric,they refered to chama ,who then sent in cde mkapa to mediate.we hope he wil do a good job that of saving the revolution,this revolution.zanu is way behind other liberation movements,even swapo is showing more muscle than zanu.we need to change zanu now,nt tmorow bt now.a good start isa congress,to sort out leadership.not purgings bt eletions inside zanu.simple.why shuld anyone fear congress?why.if yu claim pple r behind yu then opt for congress,supervised by chama for fairness.

viola gwena - 18 February 2016

Yes viola

jembe - 18 February 2016

Viola yu correct.kana makauya ne congress budai ne congress

yuba - 18 February 2016

Itai tione magandanga.

diva - 18 February 2016

I like viola bcoz of facts.she doesnt insult anyone here.

gidza - 18 February 2016

Chadzoka.mai mujuru only,viola follow yo commander

sleek - 18 February 2016

As usual this Munangagwa gang is finished as witnessed by cheap threats like operation Shumba all which is nonsense of course . Munangagwa is a coward dander head by nature even Mugabe knows it that is why he told his wife to say Munangagwa FUSEKI . All what is happening now in Chituta Munangagwa camp is reactionary only which will finally die down not so long .even gamatox when they were kicked out they issued some reactionary statements but eventually they gave in . But as of some one saying zanu should seek advise from other liberation movements i think it is being shallow minded as we all know zanu is not an original liberation movement but a faction of the original liberation movement zapu while ANC SWAPO FERELIMO etc they are not factions of any political party they are original .They were not formed on tribalism bases like zanu

Diibulaanyika - 18 February 2016

@gidza you have every reason to like Viola bcoz you are cio

Chimedza matombo - 18 February 2016

At last, you can see a little bit od sence viola. As long as zanu doesnt have a succession plan, it's doomed. When you look at CCM, Magufuli is the fifth president, Frelimo has the 4th, BDP of Bots has 4th, Swapo has the 3rd, ANC has the 4th and those parties will go for another 20 t0 50 years before they crumble. Zambia, Malawi and Kenya had dictators who held on to power and what happened to UNIP, MCP and KANU? As soon as those dictators left power, they disintergrated into so many small useless parties. Zim and zanu are going the same way.

The crocodile requires a DAM to survive. the DAM ie Dr. Amai Mugabe is critical in Zim political landscape. H.E. can not oppose his wife. So goodbye Lacoste

Zim - 18 February 2016

What is Mnagagwa going to change, which he has failed to implement together with Mugabe in 34 years? Mnagagwa like Simba Makoni, should have resigned from Zanu PF, with disgust of failure to attain prosperity. Zanu PF has been in existence for over 45 years and have been the government of Zimbabwe for over 34 years. Since then Zimbabwe has been on continues downward spiral. We are worse off than we were in Rhodesia. What a shame! The reason; Zanu PF has remained a freedom fighting organisation. Zanu PF has failed to transform into an administration but have preferred to remain a guerrilla mob. The mob persona preference by Zanu PF enables them to infringe and violet constitutionality; accountability and rule of law. Zimbabwe has a serious deficit of these three basic democratic components. Now what do we have, a wounded country. God help us if Mnagagwa takes over, thus another 20 years of Zanu PF crap! May Grace could come up with a new dimension. In fact I agree with her position of disregarding war vets with no self respect who go about drumming their chest like gorillas.

Mbareboy - 18 February 2016

let the jackals fight; it spares the chicken that we have been made by zanu. I wish if they can kill each other and the last men standing must be fatally wounded that they wont survive the injuries so that we can be free for once! We been too long on slavery!

@Mbareboy i fully agree!! This country requires new ideaology.Zanu pf have transformed itself into a Mafia over the years. We have been stuck in self entitlement mantra from "O" vets. An early born free stand to file as presidential candidate in 2018. The country needs new brains, for a change..

X-MAN IV - 18 February 2016

mbareboy. grace has no dimension she can bring. she has been married to Mugabe for the past 18 years. she had enough time to change Mugabe's ways of running a country.

Is this the Musona that used to contribute so much on this forum? Gotcha

Realist - 18 February 2016

She is mising her rasta man bob marley.mdc ndizvo

unandi - 18 February 2016

The political events playing out in Zimbabwe today, prompts me to rewind to the '60's. Ian Smith had a place called Ngonakudzingwa and Hwa-Hwa. An ideal place today for all of the ZANU leadership. This time lock them up and throw the key away. Smith had checks and balances. How would he be handling the disgusting ZANU leadership? Hand the country to these clowns or lock them up until they come to their senses.?

Chibwechitedza - 19 February 2016

May the living God be with us

michael - 19 February 2016

Sorry! But am I missing something here? After 35 years of destruction and ZPF claptrap there are still actually people who think Grace has something to offer???? New brains and new ideology???? What a stupid nation we are!

mnangagwa can be likened to macbeth in the shakesperian play who murders king Duncan solely for power,the murder of the king hounded him till death.Mnangagwa a word of advice wait for your chance,rank and file do not want you to lead do not force yourself into power.Rega mudara atonge iwe uchitevera ita saana vamuzenda vaingoda huvice hwavo kusvika murufu kana mwari asingadi hapana chembwa vatenzi vararira mangai

pedzisai joseph - 19 February 2016

if yu claim pple r behind yu then opt for congress,supervised by chama for fairness. viola gwena - 18 February 2016 So, viola, Why won't you allow UN suppervision of elections in 2018, with an open voters's register? For fairness? That concept is beyond anyone in ZANU, of course

Dunlop Munjanja - 19 February 2016

DO WE REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED TO HIS FRIEND FROM ROMENIA.

jack - 19 February 2016

Ngwena ngaichidobva yadhla riribhuru racho...Whats the sense in propping up a 92 year old than remove that stupid Old man altogether with that husband snatching whore! We are talking about Zimbabwe now!!

Where are ZANU-PF body bags, until that happens they are just playing umacatshelana with our minds?

Yimindoda Ndoda - 19 February 2016

the problem is zanu pf is full of cowards and they dance to mugabes tune until they drop, so the wife is wearing her husbands face and telling the followers to dance, Mugabe is old zanu should have the guts to tell him enough is enough, we need new blood whoever is elected after and free and fair congress should lead zanu

nonsense MDC has never failed but zibabweans are cowards all this thing of sadc never worked Morgan and company tried it and failed bcoz all sadc leaders are Mugabe 's friends ..

Diibulaanyika - 19 February 2016

Post a comment

Readers are kindly requested to refrain from using abusive,
vulgar, racist, tribalistic, sexist, discriminatory and hurtful
language when posting their comments on the Daily News website.
Those who transgress this civilised etiquette will be barred from
contributing to our online discussions.- Editor